Microsoft Entra ID
Microsoft's cloud identity and access management service.
Alternatives · 2026
Alternatives to WorkOS
Enterprise-ready APIs for SSO, SCIM, and directory sync.
5 hand-curated alternatives from MintedSaaS's directory. See the WorkOS listing →
WorkOS provides enterprise identity APIs for single sign-on (SSO), SCIM provisioning, and directory synchronization. It's aimed at B2B SaaS teams building product features for customers who need to integrate with their existing identity infrastructure—Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace, and similar platforms. WorkOS sits between those providers and your application, offering a unified API layer so you don't have to build separate integrations for each one. The typical user is a product engineer or infrastructure team at a mid-market SaaS company who needs to ship enterprise auth features without maintaining their own federation logic.
Teams reach for WorkOS when they're selling upmarket and can't wait for a built-in identity system to mature. They're not replacing their core auth provider—they're adding a compatibility layer so enterprise customers can log in through their own directories. The workflows are straightforward: a customer connects their Okta tenant to your app, WorkOS bridges the connection, and their users inherit SSO and provisioning instantly. It's especially common in companies that use Auth0 or Clerk for consumer login but need a separate product for the enterprise cohort. Some companies build WorkOS-like functionality in-house after hitting a certain ARR, but the added maintenance cost usually outweighs the savings by then.
What we offer that competes
JumpCloud
Cloud directory platform for identity and device management.
Okta
Enterprise identity and single sign-on platform.
Clerk
Drop-in authentication and user management for web apps.
Auth0
Identity platform for adding authentication to applications.
What to look for
- Whether the product supports SCIM 2.0 spec fully or only a subset of user attributes and endpoints.
- Whether pricing is per-customer, per-monthly-active-user, or flat-fee, and at what volume it becomes cheaper than building in-house.
- Whether the product can be self-hosted or deployed in your own cloud account versus solely cloud-hosted.
- Whether the API documentation lists supported identity providers explicitly, or requires you to contact sales.
- Whether the product offers white-label domain configuration or forces your customers to see the provider's branding.
- Whether the product includes audit logs and compliance exports (SOC 2, HIPAA) or charges separately for them.
FAQ
What are the best alternatives to WorkOS?
Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, and JumpCloud all offer identity and directory APIs. Entra ID suits teams already in the Microsoft ecosystem; Okta is the market-leading SSO provider and handles both the SSO and the app side; Clerk and Auth0 have added directory and SCIM features into their platforms. The choice depends on whether you want a standalone federation layer like WorkOS or an all-in-one identity platform.
Are there free alternatives to WorkOS?
Auth0 and Clerk both have free tiers that include SSO and some SCIM support, though they cap features and monthly active users. If you need a no-cost entry point to enterprise identity, Auth0's free tier is more generous, but you'll hit limits quickly as you add customers. Okta charges for everything but offers a developer free tier for testing.
How do I choose an enterprise identity provider for my SaaS?
Start by deciding whether you want a dedicated federation layer (like WorkOS) or a full identity platform (like Okta or Auth0). Then check which directories your customers actually use—if they're all Okta shops, Okta's direct API might be simpler. Consider setup cost, per-customer pricing, and whether you need white-label options or only API-first integration.
What's the difference between SSO and SCIM provisioning?
SSO handles login: your customer's user logs in through their identity provider and lands in your app. SCIM provisioning handles user lifecycle: their directory automatically syncs users, updates, and deletions to your system. You typically need both for enterprise customers, and most alternatives to WorkOS support both.
Which platforms do WorkOS alternatives support?
All major alternatives support Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, and Google Workspace. JumpCloud and Okta can also act as the identity provider itself, while Auth0 and Clerk focus on federation from third-party directories. Check the specific directories your customers are using before committing.
Can I use the same identity provider for consumer and enterprise login?
Yes, but it's unusual to do so efficiently in one system. Most teams use Auth0 or Clerk for consumer login and add WorkOS, Okta, or a similar federation layer for enterprise customers. Microsoft Entra ID and JumpCloud can technically handle both, but their UI and pricing are optimized for enterprise, not consumer volume.
Do I need a separate directory sync tool if I use an identity provider?
Not always. Okta, Entra ID, JumpCloud, and Clerk all have SCIM support built in. WorkOS is specifically a bridge for apps that don't want to maintain multiple identity integrations. Auth0 has federation but charges for deeper provisioning features; you may want to pair it with a dedicated tool.
What happens if my customer's identity provider has an outage?
Your users can't log in during the outage. This is true for all federation-based solutions, including WorkOS and its alternatives. Some teams cache SCIM data or use fallback auth methods, but most accept the dependency as the cost of enterprise compatibility. Okta and Entra ID have built-in redundancy and status pages; smaller providers may not.